Soccer takes care of business against Kofa

Xavier Prep’s soccer team accomplished what it needed to in Thursday night’s (Jan. 12) home match against Yuma Kofa.

The Gators scored two goals in each half and put a solid 4-0 victory on the board.

Xavier coach  Barb Chura had hoped to establish dominance early against the Kings and allow some of her reserves to get some playing time in preparation for Friday night’s (Jan. 13) road encounter with Phoenix Pinnacle.

“We thought we could get (some starters) out of the game early (to rest),’’ Chura said. “But Kofa is a very quick team that is organized defensively.’’

Kofa dropped to 6-3. The win by Xavier (7-2-1) came on the heels of a big 2-1 overtime win at Chandler Hamilton on Tuesday (Jan. 10).

“We did a fantastic job. We earned that win and we deserved it,’’ Chura said.

Pinnacle has been a strong program in the past, and appears to be competitive again this year with a 9-3-3 record.

Chura said she is more concerned with how her team is playing rather than fretting too much over what an opponent might do.

“We just show up and play,’’ Chura said.

She continues to applaud the Gators for their team chemistry and leadership displayed by the seniors and juniors.

Junior forward Abby Hubbard continued her strong play by scoring Xavier’s first goal with 30:40 left in the opening half. She did so with her left foot.

Junior Nicole Hook was the next to find the back of the net, with 8:42 to go. She jumped above the shorter defenders and headed the ball in after a nice corner kick by freshman Clara Lynch.

The third goal came with a little more than four minutes gone in the second half. Junior Mady Chait scored it.

The final goal came with about four minutes left in the contest on a shot by freshman Jocelyn Rupp.